(Written by Malik Holman)

• Maternal Antibiotic Use: Both older paternal and maternal age at the time of conception have been associated with an increased risk of autism.

• Maternal Health Conditions: Maternal obesity, diabetes, and immune system disorders during pregnancy have been linked to an increased risk of autism.

• Folate Deficiency: Folate's role in neurodevelopment has led to interest in its potential impact on autism risk.

• Advanced Parental Age: Both older paternal and maternal age at the time of conception have been associated with an increased risk of autism.

• Birth Complications: Premature birth, low birth weight, and birth difficulties leading to oxygen deprivation to the baby's brain can also increase the likelihood of autism.

• Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can interfere with hormone balance, may also play a role.

(Written by Malik Holman)

https://jadeaba.org/neurological-causes-of-autism/

(Posted by Donald Kinton)

Autistic Individuals may also consider themselves as, or be considered as Highly Sensitive Persons, which can make them sensitive to light, sound, textures, certain foods, and certain factors in environments.  They may become easily drained and overwhelmed by the world around them for more reasons than just the emotionally-taxing experience of having to mask socially.  Without getting too deep into this topic, this can begin to offer some insight into why Autism and Auto-immune disorders or other chronic disorders are often co-occurring.  Autistic individuals across a wide spectrum may benefit from somatic practices, dim lighting and self-soothing techniques.  Some autistic individuals benefit greatly from touch/physical pressure and some can be highly uncomfortable with touch and experience exacerbated symptoms in response to it.  If you have an autistic individual you love in your life, is important to deeply listen to their specific needs and to look at them as the unique individual that they are. 

To speak more on the “superpowers” associated with ASD, there is many times an overlap between Autism and the experience of synesthesia and other creative strengths.  Synesthesia can be described as a blending of/disassociation from the separate senses.  It causes an individual to exist in a space in which sensory information is less compartmentalized, where for some colors have a certain taste or texture, music is felt as colors, and on and on.  This can be overwhelming, but often in a very beautiful way.  Some with this experience can be very inclined to produce music or create art, which can help them to feel more connected to the pulse of a world they often feel disconnected from.

We are only beginning to understand autism but I hope we only continue to approach it with curiosity and empathy, and create a world that celebrates our differences and is supportive to us all.

(Posted by Meghan Darcy)

(Edited by Malik Holman)

1. _{Early Brain Overgrowth (Macrocephaly)}

   _{In the first year of life, some children with autism have faster brain growth than usual. This can cause a larger head size, known as macrocephaly. This fast growth mostly happens in the frontal and temporal lobes, which affect emotions, language, and social behavior. Even though the growth slows down later, the early overgrowth might change how these brain areas function.}

2. _{Cortex Layer Difference}

   _{The outer layer of the brain is called the cortex, and it forms in layers during pregnancy. In some children with autism, small spots in the prefrontal and temporal cortex don’t form those layers correctly. These parts of the brain are important for things like speaking, understanding emotions, and connecting with others. If they don’t develop the right way, it can make social or communication skills harder.}

3. _{Shape and Thickness of the Cortex}

   _{Brain scans have shown that in autism, some parts of the cortex can be thicker or thinner than usual. Also, the cortex often has more folds than typical, especially in areas that deal with sounds, body awareness, and feelings, like the temporal, parietal, and cingulate regions. These differences may help a person focus deeply on details, but they might also make it harder for the brain to connect bigger ideas across different areas.}

4. _{Cerebellum and Purkinje Cells}

   _{The cerebellum is a part of the brain that helps with movement and coordination, thinking and handling emotions. In many people with autism, this area has fewer special brain cells called Purkinje cells, which help send signals to the rest of the brain. Having fewer of these cells might affect balance, focus, and how someone reacts in social situations.}

5. _{White Matter and Brain Connections}

   _{White matter is like the brain’s wiring system, it connects different parts of the brain so they can work together. In autism, these connections are often different. Short-distance connections might be stronger, while long-distance connections can be weaker. The corpus callosum, which connects the left and right sides of the brain, may also be smaller. This might make it harder to process information all at once, like reading someone’s face while listening to what they say.}

6. _{Amygdala and Hippocampus Changes}

   _{The amygdala helps us recognize emotions like fear or happiness, and the hippocampus is important for learning and memory. In some young children with autism, both of these parts of the brain are larger than usual. This could affect how a person understands emotions or remembers social experiences.}

• Local Over-Connectivity: Autistic brains often show excessive short-range connections within specific regions. This can lead to intense focus on details but may hinder big-picture thinking or flexible behavior.

• Long-Distance Under-Connectivity: There’s often weaker communication between distant brain areas, especially those involved in integrating complex information. This affects executive function, social cognition, and the ability to shift attention.

• Excitation/Inhibition Imbalance: Neurochemical signaling is often disrupted, with an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA. This can lead to overstimulated or under-responsive neural circuits, affecting behavior and sensory processing.

(Autistic Brain Connectivity | The Neurodivergent Brain)

(Written by Donald Kinton)

1. Genetic Factors Play a Major Role

   Autism spectrum disorder(ASD) has a strong genetic component. Studies shows that:

   Heritability is estimated to be 70-90%, meaning most of the risk for autism comes from genetics.

   If one identical twin has autism, the other has a 60-90% chance of being diagnosed as well.

2. Types of Genetic Contributions

   There are two main categories of genetic changes linked to autism:

   Rare mutations (high impact)

   De novo mutations: These are spontaneous genetic changes not found in parents.

   Copy number variations(CNVs): Missing or duplicated sections of DNA.

3. Gene Networks and Brain Development

   Many autism-linked genes are involved in:

   Brain development(especially during prenatal stages)

   1. Family history and inheritance

      Having a family member with autism increases the likelihood of another family member being diagnosed.

      Some autism-linked genes are inherited, while others arise spontaneously.

      
      

      Written by: Malik Holman

The main goal is to help them express their feelings and needs, and to better understand what others are saying. Speech therapy also teaches social skills like taking turns in conversation and understanding emotions or jokes. This support helps them connect with people and feel more confident every day.

Loneliness can be debilitating for Autistic adults, as without structured social activities, it can be very difficult to make and maintain friendships and develop other forms of social support. Autistic individuals may need help integrating into the community and can benefit from social skills training and support groups for Autistic adults.

For all of the aforementioned reasons, Autistic adults tend to have much higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. They can struggle intensely with feelings of isolation and alienation. Continuity of mental health support is crucial as they navigate the transition into adulthood.

Support networks and planning for adulthood are invaluable for Autistic individuals.